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Tino
I recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in philosophy, with special honors from the department. Within philosophy, my interests are in logic, the philosophy of math, the philosophy of language, and ethics - each broadly construed. Outside of philosophy, I have interests in w...
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Bachelors, Honors Philosophy (Intensive Option)

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Christabel
I graduated with honors from Wheaton College (IL) with a B.A. in English, Writing and a Certificate in Early Church History. While studying, I worked as a Writing Consultant where I empowered undergraduate and graduate students to write clearly and persuasively and to read their own work with a crit...
Wheaton College (Illinois)
Bachelor in Arts, English, Writing

Certified Tutor
4+ years
I have had previous tutoring experience in elementary and high school math, design and English classes. I have worked with various students on their comprehension skills, along with their abilities at problem solving.I graduated in 2012 from Pennsylvania State University with a major in Architecture...
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Bachelors, Architecture

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Dylan
Do you ever go into class thinking, "Okay, I am 100% focused and I will completely understand everything my teacher says", and leave thinking "What just happened?!?"... It's not uncommon. Often times you might just be one concept behind and are always trying to play mental catch-up during lecture. O...
University of North Florida
Current Undergrad, Mechanical Engineering

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Stephen
In the fall of 2007, I fulfilled a dream by attending the University of Notre Dame. There I majored in Classics and Pre-Professional Studies. Following my college career, I obtained a Masters degree in Biomedical Sciences from Midwestern University in Downers Grove.I have always been fascinated with...
Midwestern University
Master of Arts, Masters of Biomedical Sciences
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor in Arts, PreProfessional Studies/Classics

Certified Tutor
5+ years
Tamara
I am a graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Economics. My academic interests while at Barnard were focused on microeconomics and statistical research. I am a believer that a strong education can propel you to achieve your goals. I t...
Barnard College
Bachelor in Arts, Economics

Certified Tutor
9+ years
A recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin in English and Philosophy and currently pursuing an MAT at the University of Louisville. Inspired by a lifelong love of knowledge and learning, I endeavor to utilize my educational background to assist students and help them find their educational pas...
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bachelor in Arts, English
University of Louisville
Current Grad Student, High School Teaching

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Dae'Shawn
I have a passion for helping others, and I am experienced in tutoring all grade levels K-12. I enjoy social interactions, and this makes it easy and fun to work with students. I believe that my style changes to fit the student, but it is always generally light-hearted and enjoyable. I learn as much ...
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering, General

Certified Tutor
I work hard to ensure that my students understand the basic concepts of the material as well as real world examples where this math would be valuable. I work to ensure that they have the best techniques and practical skills to perform well on tests and to be able to do the homework on their own afte...
Ball State University
Bachelors, Mathematics

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Robert
I know that it is often difficult to get through a course or an exam. I also know that each student has individual strengths and weaknesses. I try to identify and focus on where work is needed; I do not use a "one size fits all" approach. I'm receptive to all student questions and concerns.I tutor l...
CUNY Queens College
Bachelor in Arts, Clinical Psychology
SJU
Juris Doctor, Prelaw Studies
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Frequently Asked Questions
Students typically struggle most with surgical anatomy and pathophysiology—particularly memorizing complex anatomical relationships and understanding how disease states affect surgical procedures. Instrument identification and their specific uses across different specialties (orthopedic, cardiac, neuro) also trip up many test-takers. Additionally, the pharmacology section covering anesthetic agents, antibiotics, and hemostatic agents requires deep conceptual understanding rather than surface-level memorization. Personalized instruction helps break down these interconnected topics into manageable pieces, showing how anatomy directly applies to instrument selection and surgical technique.
The NBSTSA exam uses scenario-based questions that require applying knowledge to real operating room situations—not just recalling facts. For example, you might need to identify the correct instrument for a specific step in a procedure, then explain why that choice matters for patient safety. This shift from memorization to application is where many students struggle. A tutor experienced with CST prep can teach you to recognize procedural patterns, anticipate what comes next in a surgery, and connect theoretical knowledge to practical decision-making on the exam.
The best CST tutors hold current CST certification themselves and have hands-on OR experience—this ensures they understand not just the exam content, but how surgical tech knowledge actually applies in practice. They should be familiar with the NBSTSA exam blueprint and recent test changes, and ideally have successfully coached other students through certification. Look for tutors who can explain the 'why' behind procedures and instrument choices, not just the 'what,' since this deeper understanding is what the exam tests.
Most surgical tech students benefit from 8-12 weeks of focused preparation, though this varies based on your program completion timeline and starting knowledge level. Personalized tutoring can accelerate your progress by targeting your specific weak areas rather than spending equal time on everything. Many students find that 2-3 sessions per week, combined with structured independent practice, creates the right balance for mastering complex topics like surgical procedures and pharmacology before exam day.
Different surgical specialties have distinct instrument sets, anatomical focuses, and procedural sequences—and students often excel in one area while struggling in another. A tutor can create targeted study plans that break down unfamiliar specialties (like cardiac or neuro) into their core components, then help you build connections between anatomy, instruments, and procedural steps. This approach is much more efficient than trying to memorize isolated facts about each specialty independently.
Practice exams are essential—they reveal which content areas need more work and help you get comfortable with the scenario-based question format. However, simply taking practice tests without analysis won't improve your score. An experienced tutor can review your practice exam results with you, identifying patterns in your mistakes (Are you missing anatomy details? Misunderstanding instrument purposes? Struggling with specific specialties?) and adjusting your study plan accordingly. This diagnostic approach ensures your study time targets real gaps, not areas where you're already strong.
Pharmacology appears throughout the CST Exam—not as isolated drug facts, but integrated into surgical scenarios where you need to understand drug purposes, side effects, and interactions relevant to patient safety. For example, you might need to know why certain antibiotics are chosen for specific surgeries, or how anesthetic agents affect surgical technique. Many students memorize drug lists but miss these clinical connections. Tutoring that emphasizes pharmacology in context—tied to actual surgical procedures and patient outcomes—helps you answer these complex questions confidently.
The CST Exam requires a passing score of 70%, and students who work with a tutor typically see significant improvements in their weak areas—often 15-25 percentage points on practice exams as they move from surface-level knowledge to deeper understanding. The exact improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you engage with tutoring and independent practice. What matters most is that tutoring helps you identify and master the specific topics that were holding you back, rather than spending equal energy on everything.
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